tight rope [c]

After the kits had been looked over properly - each of them already smothered with herbs in an attempt to mask Heatherberry's own scent - they had been ushered out by Swiftheart, Sablestrike not far behind. A pang in her heart as she watched them be carried past the curtains and back to the nursery lasted beyond Leopardstar taking their place to stand nonchalantly in front of her. Her mouth felt dry as she opened it to speak, daring to look her own mother in the eyes as she greeting her like she hadn't just shattered her oath up to this point.

Did she believe that Leopardstar would think any less of her for the relationship she fostered with Sablestrike? For birthing such beautiful kits? For wanting a family? No. But it was best that she didn't purposfully drag ShadowClan's leader into this. Whether or not Leopardstar
believed this situation didn't matter. She just had to hold out for as long as possible - to watch them safely make it to warriorhood at the very least. "All involved in the birth seem healthy enough... Other than rogue mother who is no longer with us, unfortunately. Hollowkit, Juniperkit, Frecklekit, and Willowkit pose no health threat to the clan." Her eye scanned Leopardstar's, looking for any hint of suspicion that might linger in her gaze before looking away, choosing to pretend putting away herbs was a big task. "Sablestrike and Swiftheart will do a fine job taking care of such wonderful kits, if you allow them. Rouge born means they don't have a lot of other options... " While not entirely a lie (since Heatherberry held rogue blood), it didn't help the intense sickness she felt telling half truthes to the very cat who had even welcomed her into ShadowClan to begin with; the cat she called mom. Especially now that their familial foundation was just beginning to heal. "They were only just born. They would die without us. What do you think?" Leopardstar's policy on kits was very clear, but she was still their leader and needed to be the one to make the final decision regardless.